Jimbo 11 Posted November 22, 2017 Dead as a dead thing in a dead street this november. Even the cheapy 2-3k small engined first time cars arent getting much traction. Is this one of the worst novembers?? what months do you find the worst of the year? Nov & Dec as standard or any wierd patterns? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allstars 1 Posted November 23, 2017 Luckily we have had a great November so far, sold mostly the cheaper stock and have been reducing margins to get more sales - its working Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arfur Dealy 823 Posted November 23, 2017 Same here, absolutely flat out at the moment with 10 sold so far Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ocsltd 133 Posted November 23, 2017 8 hours ago, Jimbo said: Dead as a dead thing in a dead street this november. Even the cheapy 2-3k small engined first time cars arent getting much traction. Is this one of the worst novembers?? what months do you find the worst of the year? Nov & Dec as standard or any wierd patterns? This is by far the worst November I've ever had!!! I usually find December and May my worst months. I find June can be a funny month as well..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mojo121 229 Posted November 23, 2017 3 hours ago, Allstars said: Luckily we have had a great November so far, sold mostly the cheaper stock and have been reducing margins to get more sales - its working Is that sustainable though? Reduce to look the cheapest... get some sales... people follow suit... devalue ourselves again... reduce again to get some more sales. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 702 Posted November 23, 2017 It hasn't been a quiet November for buying,mind this has been helped by some rediculously low book prices.So you can pay £500 over for something and you have nicked it ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Earunder 69 Posted November 23, 2017 It has been relatively quiet, I think the first month this year where we've not grown from the month of the previous year and we're down by around 30-35%. I'm not putting much thought into it at the moment as the new budget was announced, Brexit is still lurking on peoples minds and of course Christmas being only round the corner. It was kind of a given in many aspects that this November was going to be an extended December period. In foresight it may well lurk into the first few weeks of the New Year, with the economy getting back to spending regularly again toward the end of January and a rise in February. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHM 994 Posted November 23, 2017 A poor month but I’ve sold a few and my problem is buying. At my end of the market the prices at the block, on DA & SYTNER are eye watering at the moment and from what I’ve seen recently the trade is buying absolutely any shite. When I’m at the block & see the trade fighting over 8-10 yr old scruffy, misfiring Vauxhall’s with rattling DMFs I know to keep my money in my pocket & let others fill-up on overpriced problem children. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grant8064 219 Posted November 24, 2017 Pretty much business as usual for us. Selling plenty (all the shit for some reason with the nice stuff remaining on the forecourt) but struggling to buy...as always. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted November 24, 2017 On 23/11/2017 at 10:06 AM, Mojo121 said: Is that sustainable though? Reduce to look the cheapest... get some sales... people follow suit... devalue ourselves again... reduce again to get some more sales. Sadly the race to the bottom is well and truly underway and nothing will stop it. Busy enough but buying (or lack of) is really starting to get on my tits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James01 21 Posted November 28, 2017 How has everyone found this month? We are painfully quiet will be one of our worst ever months trading! Don't seem to be getting a look at anything over £10k. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NOACROSS 414 Posted November 28, 2017 Been really busy all of a sudden this month after an average October and a terrible September. I thought we'd never sell a diesel or a heavy car again- then all of a sudden (straight after the budget) three in one weekend, and more in the week, plus has been good sub 10 grand. However 'one swallow doesn't make a summer' and all that. It's a funny old game....just gotta hold your nerve. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrC 142 Posted November 30, 2017 Never been so bloody busy. Sold my last camper on 25th October, bought another donor van on 28th Oct, took a deposit on that within a week, started in on the 3rd Nov, would have been earlier but I had a customer van in for a part conversion. It should be finished tomorrow but I have been paid up for it today and its going next weekend. I have another part conversion book in for second week in Dec, all being well I will have my hands on another donor van in the next few days.. Is bloody hard work and frustrating at times, but I dont miss BCA and dealing with dickheads. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ik1980 11 Posted November 30, 2017 Great news MrC, glad to see you are busy and doing well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JasonCameron 0 Posted November 30, 2017 Worst month we've ever had since trading! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MSP Motors 39 Posted November 30, 2017 I have managed to get out of trouble by selling 2 whacky cars. An old classic beetle and a land rover defender that I pimped. If it wasn't for those 2 both with a lovely profit i shudder to think........ now onto the quiet months! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SC Derby 259 Posted November 30, 2017 Worst month for me since I started 7 years ago. Just feels so quiet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted November 30, 2017 1 hour ago, SC Derby said: Worst month for me since I started 7 years ago. Just feels so quiet! Don't beat yourself up too much, there are a lot of people worried about what the future holds; the quiet before the storm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 11 Posted November 30, 2017 Dead as a dead thing on a dead street. December is not likely to improve either is it? Feb time maybe...? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SC Derby 259 Posted November 30, 2017 20 minutes ago, met said: Don't beat yourself up too much, there are a lot of people worried about what the future holds; the quiet before the storm It’s very easy to lose a lot of money though, not willing to see 7 years of hard work go up in smoke (if things don’t pick up) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mojo121 229 Posted November 30, 2017 Come on you lot. Surely you all expect it to be quiet this time of year and surely you would've put some money away in the busy months to tide yourselves over?! 16 minutes ago, SC Derby said: It’s very easy to lose a lot of money though, not willing to see 7 years of hard work go up in smoke (if things don’t pick up) Correct me if wrong but last time I looked at your stock (must be over a year ago) everything was sub £5.5k have you outgrown your market in budget terms? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SC Derby 259 Posted November 30, 2017 I've had some great Novembers and Decembers. Nothing I try now seems to improve response, and I don't want to go to more expensive stock either. We operated £2k-£8k I suppose. Never felt the need to go any higher. After 6 years of solid trading never having had experience a losing quarter I guess I just thought that was that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DHill 16 Posted November 30, 2017 It can feel quite glum especially when you're used to selling loads. I treat December as a dead month, if I'm busy great if not, no problem. Use the time to rest, grab a few bargains and wait for the January rush. It will happen. Chin up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SC Derby 259 Posted November 30, 2017 We used to worry if we only did 30!! I think my energy for it is drying up too tbh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grant8064 219 Posted November 30, 2017 There seems to be a massive difference in how everyone's doing out there. We're on for our best ever year and November has been on par with our busiest (and most profitable more importantly) months. Literally can't get quality stock quickly enough despite not being a particularly cheap forecourt for our stock range. On the flip side a similar set up 3 miles away packed up in autumn and our nearest competitor a mile up the road has just called us up offering us his stock because he's packing it in at Christmas. Gotta feel for those of you not doing so well because we're all very aware how quickly it can change. Chin up lads and best of luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
